Geological timescales
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how geological time is divided, and identify the current period and epoch we live in.
Key learning points
- Geological timescales are measured in millions of years.
- A period is a basic unit of geological time and they last for millions of years.
- An epoch is a subdivision of a geological time period.
- We are currently in the quaternary period in the holocene epoch.
Keywords
Geological time - the timeline of Earth’s history
Eon - the largest division of geological time, lasting hundreds of millions to billions of years
Era - a subdivision of an eon, lasting tens to hundreds of millions of years
Period - a subdivision of an era, lasting millions of years
Epoch - the smallest measurement of geological time, a subdivision of a period, lasting thousands to millions of years
Common misconception
Geological timescales go back as far as human history.
Geological timescales are much greater than human history.
Teacher tip
You could teach students to remember the order of the older geological time divisions with the mnemonic: Camels, Often, Sit, Down, Carefully. Perhaps, Their, Joints, Creak.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is geology the study of?
Q2.Why is geology important for understanding Earth’s past?
Q3.What is Earth's outermost layer called?
Q4.What do we call molten rock that erupts from a volcano?
Q5.What are rocks made of?
Q6.How many main types of rock are there?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is a geological timescale?
Q2.What is the longest unit of geological time?
Q3.Which eon are we living in now?
Q4.How far back do geological timescales go?
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: Geological timescales, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: Geological timescales, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Rocks, weathering and soil: Why is geology important? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.